Comedian and actor Reggie McFadden, best known for his work on Def Comedy Jam and In Living Color, has died.
He was 57.
McFadden’s sister, best-selling novelist Bernice McFadden, confirmed his death after the family was notified by the U.S. State Department.
McFadden died in Tanzania, where he had been living for nearly two decades.
His family has not yet been told exactly when he died, and an official cause of death has not been released.
News of his passing quickly spread through the comedy community.
“Rest in peace, fellow comedian, Reggie McFadden,” comedian Tony Luewellyn wrote in a tribute. “Another fallen veteran comedy brother!”
McFadden grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and began pursuing stand-up comedy as a young man.
His major break came in 1991 when he appeared on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, the influential comedy series that helped launch and elevate a generation of Black comedians.
The appearance opened the door to a string of television and film roles.
McFadden joined the cast of Fox’s In Living Color during the show’s fifth and final season in 1993 and 1994.
He appeared in numerous sketches and became part of the series’ later ensemble during a period when the groundbreaking comedy show remained a major force in pop culture.
His television career continued with appearances on Martin, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, Coach, Moesha and Getting Personal.
He later appeared on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, playing Officer Burt, a police officer who lived near Larry David’s character.
McFadden also worked in movies.
His film credits included Jacob’s Ladder, The Inkwell, Road Kings and Adam Sandler’s 2000 comedy Little Nicky.
Beyond acting, he continued performing stand-up and landed his own Comedy Central special.
He was also a regular performer in Las Vegas, including appearances at Caesars Palace.
In the later part of his life, McFadden largely stepped away from Hollywood and built a new life in Tanzania.
According to his social media profile, he became involved in business ventures that included gold mining and entertainment production.
He also operated Olduvai Records, an entertainment company based in Tanzania.
McFadden remained creative even after moving overseas.
In May 2025, he released an album titled ENJOY, Vol. 1 through his label.
His death has prompted tributes from fellow comedians and fans who remember him from the height of the 1990s comedy boom.
McFadden is survived by his sons Jaron and Myles, his sisters Bernice and Misty, his brother Kris and his mother Vivian.
For fans who watched him on Def Comedy Jam and In Living Color, McFadden leaves behind a career that stretched from Brooklyn comedy clubs to network television, movies and eventually a very different life thousands of miles away in East Africa.